[flowers of romance]

1 1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac
3/4 oz Breckenridge Bitters
1/4 oz Chamomile Tea Syrup (*)
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe. Garnish with dried chamomile flowers (here, dried chrysanthemum).
(*) 1:1 strong brewed Stash brand chamomile tea:sugar
For a second drink at Estragon, I asked bartender Sahil Mehta about a Cognac drink in his recipe notebook and inquired if it were a Champs-Élysées variation. He described how it was created as a Sidecar one where the orange liqueur was swapped for more floral elements. Once mixed, the floral aspect shone through on the nose where it mingled with the Cognac's aroma; the floral notes continued into the sip along with the crisp lemon. The swallow then offered Cognac and herbal flavors that finished with gentian and spice notes. For a drink name, I dubbed it after an old Public Image Limited album and song that were a nod to an even older Sid Vicious band.